Bill Clinton Named UN Special Envoy To Haiti

Former President Bill Clinton has been named by the United Nations as a special envoy to the Caribbean nation of Haiti.

Foreign donors have agreed to donate $324 million towards Haiti's rebuilding efforts. Clinton has asked for donors not only to donate money but also invest in the nation. The honour was given to Clinton two months after he visited Haiti with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in an effort to highlight the country's rebuilding following several natural disasters last year. The Miami Herald reports:

''It is an honor to accept the secretary general's invitation to become special envoy to Haiti,'' former President Clinton said in a statement to The Miami Herald. 'Last year's natural disasters took a great toll, but Haiti's government and people have the determination and ability to `build back better,' not just to repair the damage done but to lay the foundations for the long-term sustainable development that has eluded them for so long.''

The Clinton foundation works in 44 countries addressing issues such as HIV/AIDS, sustainable economic development and childhood obesity. The foundation has raised more than $46 billion and has more than 1,200 projects ongoing. Clinton is only the second former U.S. president to have visited Haiti. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first.